The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a rich legacy as a transparent agency, and the Obama Administration’s Open Government (OpenGov) initiative has been a catalyst to re-examine our open practices with the goal of bringing tangible benefits to the public. The Outline includes items that will be addressed in the Agency’s Open Government Plan 3.0, due later this summer, as well as a description of an exciting new project that is being considered as a candidate flagship. Comments on the Plan Outline can be submitted below

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The comment function for this entry on the Data and Developer Forum is an opportunity for the public to provide feedback and help inform the Agency as to what information is of greatest interest to the public as we make decisions on which of its data assets it will promote for publication. This forum entry is part of EPA’s coordinated Open Data efforts which are described in its response to Executive Order 13642 and the Open Data Policy (M-13-13) located from http://www.epa.gov/digitalstrategy.

In addition to the information provided from the Data and Developer Forum, EPA will evaluate metrics from the public’s visits to its various web sites which can be useful in indicating which data resources are most frequently sought and of greatest interest.

Please refer to EPA’s public data listing located at http://epa.gov/data to determine what data sets are currently made public. EPA is committing to a quarterly update of this data listing and will describe what changes were made during each quarterly release from update materials located that will be posted to http://www.epa.gov/digitalstrategy.

Editor's Note: The opinions expressed here are those of the author. They do not reflect EPA policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy or science of the contents of the blog.

Please share this post. However, please don't change the title or the content. If you do make changes, don't attribute the edited title or content to EPA or the author.

EPA’s My Green Apps site features over 260 environmental apps that can help you live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. From measuring your carbon footprint to recycling to checking air and water quality in your area, these apps put information at your fingertips.

You’ve suggested lots of ideas for green apps and we’re thrilled that you’ve told us your favorites by “Liking” them over 850 times! ” We’ve highlighted the top four green app ideas below and matched them with existing apps about those topics. Give these apps a try and let us know what you think on Facebook or Twitter!

Developers: Why not try to make some of these apps? We’ve done market research about the apps people want and what’s already out there. Stay tuned for a future post about data you can use to convert these ideas into apps.

1. RecyclingIDEA: Create an app that shows the user where recycling centers are located for various kinds of waste.

EXISTING APPS

iRecycleearth911 Description: iRecycle is an easy and accessible way to get people plugged into local recycling opportunities. iRecycle provides access to more than 1.5 million ways to recycle plus the latest in green news and ideas to match your lifestyle.

1800 RecycleGoogle Play Description: 1800 Recycle helps you find recycling locations near you. Find address and contact information, get directions, and make your own personalized list so that recycling is a breeze.

We RecycleGoogle Play Description: WeRecycle is a platform to facilitate communication about waste between citizens and their community. It consists of a community-built map of outdoor and event trash cans and recycle bins and a mobile app.

2. Air Quality/Environmental InformationIDEA: Create a GIS app that would track the user’s location to provide environmental information about the surrounding area.

EXISTING APPS

PollutioniTunes Description: Pollution gives you up-to-date information about the levels of air pollution in your local area. You can get real-time data about electromagnetic pollution, air pollution, water pollution and pollution and emissions to soil.

GreenSpaceMapGoogle Play Description: GreenSpace Map allows you to view the sites that EPA regulates in your area to determine the proximity of reported sites within any 20-mile radius.

AirCastingGoogle Play Description: AirCasting is a platform for recording, mapping, and sharing health and environmental data using your smartphone. Each AirCasting session lets you capture real-world measurements, annotate the data to tell your story, and share it via the CrowdMap.

My CO2 CalculatorGoogle Play Description: My CO2 Carbon Calculator App allows you to quantify your effect on the environment while at work, home and while travelling.

iViroiTunes Description: Save money and reduce your home’s environmental impact quickly and cheaply by completing a full home energy analysis and getting results on the best places to make changes.

Amtrak Carbon FootprintAmtrak Description: By measuring your carbon footprint with tools like a carbon calculator, you can get an idea of what level of emissions your lifestyle generates and where you can take action to reduce your individual impact on the environment.

4. Environmentally Friendly ProductsIDEA: Create an app that allows users to identify a product via barcode scan or item look up and find details about the product from an environmental perspective.

EXISTING APPS

Label LookupiTunes Description: You are in a store, considering what to buy and you see a claim on a product – maybe your cleaning product bears the Green Seal label, or a claim on the carton says the eggs are “Animal Welfare Approved.” What does it mean? Is it backed up by good standards? Pull out your iPhone and check it out on Label Lookup.

True FoodiTunes description: Go behind the label and get the facts on genetically modified foods! The True Food Shoppers Guide gives you valuable information on common GM ingredients, brands to look for — and look out for — and common sense tips to keep you in the know and help you find and avoid GM ingredients wherever you shop.